A new 110km/h speed limit on the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway will be rolled out from tomorrow morning (1 July).
With over 20,000 vehicles travelling the stretch of motorway every day, the new higher speed will help ensure people and freight can get to where they need to go, quickly and safely, said Transport Minister, Chris Bishop.
Late last year, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) publicly consulted on increasing the speed limit from north of the Pūhoi interchange viaduct to south of the Warkworth roundabout to 110km/h. More than 7,900 submissions were received across Northland and Auckland.
“Responses were overwhelmingly positive, with 94% in support of the increasing the speed limit and 91% strongly in favour,” said Mr Bishop.
The Minister said the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway had been designed and constructed with safety features that greatly reduce the risk of death and serious injury in a crash such as two lanes in each direction providing safe passing opportunities, flexible median barrier separation between opposing lanes, and a mostly straight, wide alignment. Since opening in 2023, no fatal crashes have occurred.
“Kiwis have had their say and NZTA has completed all required technical assessments, with the motorway being assessed as safe to increase the speed limit to 110km/h. Now, we’re getting on and delivering it,” Mr Bishop said.
“Police will apply the same enforcement to 110km/h roads as any other part of the road network. Drivers can expect to see police patrols on New Zealand roads anywhere, at any time. Drivers should continue to drive to the conditions, free from impairment and distraction, and make sure everyone’s wearing their seatbelt.
Mr Bishop said the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway had vastly improved the safety, connectivity, and resilience of the network between Auckland and Northland, and had opened access to popular destinations between the two regions.
“As a critical route for road users, freight, and tourists, I look forward to the new 110km/h speed limit coming into effect from tomorrow,” he said.
The new 110km/h speed limit on the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway comes into effect on Tuesday 1 July and will apply from 2.5km north of the Johnstones Hill Tunnels, to south of Warkworth roundabout.
